The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Corporal Nick A. Monastra (ASN: US-52053872), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division, near Tonyong-ni, Korea, on 22 May 1951. Serving as Radio Operator, he accompanied his Company Commander in a trip forward to the assault elements of his unit. As he advanced along a narrow, slippery ledge, the officer suddenly slipped and fell over the precipice. In his plunge, he barely managed to grasp the ledge, to which he hung desperately in an extremely precarious position. Displaying excellent presence of mind, Corporal Monastra, although heavily burdened with his radio unhesitatingly lunged forward, grabbed his commander’s arms and at the peril of his own life, pulled the officer back into the ledge. Corporal Monastra’s heroism daring initiative and selfless devotion to a comrade undoubtedly saved the man’s life and reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.